<«!BJ7fnirn'!'"-- 


THE 


CONSTITUTION  AND  CANONS 


PEOTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


DIOCESE    OF    ILLINOIS 


ADOPTED   AT   THE  CONVENTION  HELD  IN  ST.   PAUL'S   OHUnCII.   PEORIA. 
21ST,  22.\D  AND  23rd   OCTOBER,  1857. 


CHICAGO: 


CIIAS.    SCOTT    &,   CO.,    BOOK    AND    JOB    rKISTERS, 

CORNER   CLARK   AND   SOUTH    WATER  STREETS. 


1857. 


THE 


CONSTITUTION  AND  CANONS 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH, 


DIOCE.SE    OF    ILLINOIS 


ADOPTED  AT  THE  CONVENTION  HELD  IN  ST.  PAUL'S  CHURCH,   PEORIA, 

21sT,  22nd  and  23rd  OCTOBER,  1857. 


CHICAGO: 

CnAS.    SCOTT    &    CO.,    BOOK    AND   JOB    PRINTERS, 
CORNER   CLARK  AND   SOUTH   WATER  STREETS. 

1857. 


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CONSTITUTION, 


ARTICLE  I. 

TITLE   AND   BOUNDS   OF  THE   DIOCESE. 

This  Church  shall  be  known  and  distinguished  as 
the  "  Diocese  of  Illinois  ; "  and  its  bounds  shall  be 
those  of  the  State. 

ARTICLE  II. 

ACCEDING   TO   GENERAL   CONSTITUTION. 

The  Church  in  the  Diocese  of  Illinois  accedes  to 
the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the  Protestant  Epis- 
copal Church  in  the  United  States  of  America ;  and 
recognizes  the  authority  of  the  General  Convention 
af  the  same. 

ARTICLE  III. 

ANNUAL   CONVENTION. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  a  Convention  of  the 
Church  in  this  Diocese,  to  be  holden  on  the  Wednes- 
day on  or  after  the  tenth  day  of  September  annually. 

Sec.  2.  In  case  of  the  prevalence  of  an  epidemic 
disease,  the  Bishop  (or,  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the 
Episcopate,  the  Standing  Committee)  shall  have 
power  to  change  the  time,  or  place,  or  both,  of  said 
meeting,  at  his  discretion. 


CONSTITUTION, 


ARTICLE  IV. 

SPECIAL   CONVENTIONS. 

The  Bishop  shall  have  power  to  call  a  special  Con- 
vention. If  the  Episcopate  be  vacant,  or  if  the 
Bishop  be  incapacitated  from  acting,  the  same  may 
be  done  by  the  Standing  Committee.  The  time  and 
place  shall  be  designated  by  the  ecclesiastical  author- 
ity calling  it.  Every  clergyman  entitled  to  a  seat, 
and  every  parish  in  union  with  this  convention,  shall 
be  notified  by  a  circular  letter,  at  least  four  weeks 
previous  to  the  time  appointed ;  which  letter  shall 
specify  the  purpose  for  which  it  is  called,  and  no 
business  shall  be  transacted  at  any  such  meeting 
other  than  is  stated  in  the  notice. 

ARTICLE  V. 

MEMBERS   OF   CONVENTION. 

Section  1.  The  convention  shall  be  composed  of 
clergy  and  laity. 

Sec.  2.  Every  clergyman  canonically  connected 
with  this  Diocese,  who  shall  be  regularly  admitted, 
and  settled  in  some  church  within  this  Diocese,  which 
is  in  union  with  this  Convention,  or  employed  as 
missionary  within  its  bounds  under  the  direction  of 
the  convention,  or  of  the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  or 
engaged  as  President,  Professor  or  Instructor  in  any 
College,  incorporated  Academy,  or  general  Seminary 
of  Learning  within  the  State,  or  a  chaplain  in  the 
navy  or  army  of  the  United  States,  or  in  any  public 
institution  of  the  State,  shall  be  entitled  to  a  Seat  in 
this  convention.  Provided  also,  that  no  clergyman, 
otherwise  entitled  to  a  seat  and  vote  in  this  conven- 


CONSTITUTION. 


tion,  if  disabled  by  age  or  infirmities  from  perform- 
ing the  stated  functions  of  the  clerical  office,  shall  be 
divested  of  such  privilege. 

Sec.  3.  The  lay  members  shall  consist  of  a  dele- 
gate or  delegates,  not  exceeding  three,  from  each 
cono;reo;ation  in  the  Diocese  in  union  with  this 
Convention.  They  shall  be  chosen  by  the  vestry  or 
congregation ;  shall  be  communicants  and  stated  wor- 
shipers in  the  parish  they  represent;  and  be  entitled 
to  vote  for  wardens  and  vestrymen  of  the  same. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

OPENING   OF    CONVENTION. 

Every  convention  shall  be  opened  with  the  cele- 
bration of  Divine  Service,  and  the  administration  of 
the  Holy  Communion,  and  a  sermon ;  and  the 
preacher  shall  be  appointed  by  the  Bishop,  unless 
the  Bishop  shall  himself  preach  or  deliver  a  charge. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

PRESIDENT    OF    CONVENTION. 

The  Bishop  is,  e:t;  officio,  President  of  the  Conven- 
tion. He  shall  be  entitled  to  vote  on  every  question. 
He  may  make  any  motion,  but  shall  not  enter  into 
debate.  He  may  deliver  his  sentiments  on  any  sub- 
ject, after  it  has  been  discussed  and  before  any  vote 
thereon.  In  the  absence  of  the  Bishop,  the  assistant 
Bishop,  if  there  be  one,  shall  preside  with  like 
powers.  If  there  be  no  Bishop,  or  in  case  of  his 
absence,  and  that  of  the  assistant  Bishop,  if  there  be 
one,  a  President  pro  tern,  shall  be  elected  from  among 
the  presbyters  of  the  Convention. 


CONSTITUTION. 


ARTICLE  yill. 

SECRETAET   OF  THE   CONVENTION. 

At  each  annual  Convention,  a  Secretary  shall  be 
chosen  from  among  the  members  thereof,  who  shall 
continue  in  office  until  a  successor  be  appointed. 
His  duty  shall  be  to  take  minutes  of  the  proceed- 
ings, and,  when  approved,  to  enter  them  in  a  proper 
book  ;  to  preserve  the  journals  and  records ;  to  attest 
the  public  acts  of  the  body  ;  and  faithfully  to  deliver 
to  his  successor  all  books  and  papers  relating  to  the 
concerns  of  the  convention,  which  may  be  in  his 
possession.  He  shall  also  give  due  notice  to  each 
minister  and  vestry  of  the  time  and  place  appointed 
for  the  meeting  of  the  succeeding  convention.  An 
assistant  Secretary  may  also  be  appointed,  if  request- 
ed by  the  Secretary.  Whenever  there  shall  be  a 
vacancy  in  the  office  of  Secretary  to  the  convention, 
the  duties  thereof  shall  devolve  upon  the  assistant 
Secretary,  if  there  be  one,  if  not,  upon  the  Secretary 
of  the  Standing  Committee. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

TREASURER    OF   THE    CONVENTION. 

Section  1.  At  each  stated  Convention,  there  shall 
be  chosen  a  Treasurer  of  the  Convention,  who  shall 
remain  in  office  until  a  successor  be  appointed.  It 
shall  be  his  duty  to  receive  and  disburse  all  moneys 
collected  under  the  authority  of  the  Convention,  and 
of  which  the  collection  and  distribution  shall  not  be 
otherwise  regulated.  He  shall  render  his  account 
annually  to  the  Convention,  which  shall  be  audited 
by  a  committee  acting  under  its  authority. 


CONSTITUTION. 


Sec.  2.  In  case  the  Treasurer  die,  remove  from 
the  Diocese,  or  is  incapable  of  acting,  the  Standing 
Committee  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  treasurer 
to  act  until  the  next  succeeding  convention,  who  is 
authorized  to  receive  all  moneys,  bonds,  mortgages, 
notes,  or  other  property  and  papers  that  may  be  in 
the  treasury  at  the  time  of  such  decease,  resignation, 
removal  or  incapacity. 

ARTICLE  X. 

STANDING   COMMITTEE. 

Section  1.  The  convention  shall  elect  annually, 
by  the  concurrent  votes  of  both  orders,  a  Standing 
Committee,  to  consist  of  three  presbyters  and  three 
laymen,  who  shall  continue  in  office  until  their  suc- 
cessors be  elected  ;  and,  when  there  is  no  Bishop,  or 
he  be  incapable  of  acting,  shall  be  the  ecclesiastical 
authority  of  the  Diocese  for  all  purposes  declared  in 
this  Constitution. 

Sec.  2.  The  said  presbyters  must  be  those  entitled 
to  seats  in  the  Convention  of  the  Diocese ;  and  the 
lay  members  of  the  committee  must  be  communi- 
cants of  some  church  in  the  Diocese  in  union  with 
this  Convention. 

Sec.  3.  The  Committee,  at  their  first  meeting, 
shall  choose  a  president  from  among  the  clerical 
members,  and  a  secretary  either  clerical  or  lay.  The 
secretary  shall  record  their  proceedings  in  a  book 
provided  for  this  purpose  :  which  book  and  all  papers 
in  their  hands,  relative  to  the  church,  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  examination  of  the  Bishop  and  of  the 
Convention,  and  a  full  report  of  their  acts  shall  be 
made   at  each  annual  meeting  of  the  Convention. 


CONSTITUTION, 


Any  three  of  the  members  (the  whole  having  been 
summoned)  shall  be  a  quorum ;  except  for  such  pur- 
poses as,  agreeably  to  their  own  rules,  may  require  a 
larger  number.  They  may  make  rules  of  meeting, 
and  business,  and  alter  and  repeal  them  from  time  to 
time.  Vacancies  in  said  Committee,  occurring  by 
death  or  otherwise,  shall  be  supplied  by  the  concur- 
rent vote  of  the  clerical  and  lay  members  of  the 
committee. 

Sec.  4.  In  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Episcopate, 
the  powers  and  duties  to  be  performed  by  the  Bishop 
in  matters  of  discipline,  shall  be  performed  by  the 
Standing  Committee,  except  in  those  cases  where 
such  powers  and  duties  are,  or  may  be,  specially  dele- 
gated to,  or  enjoined  upon,  the  clerical  members  of 
said  committee;  in  which  case,  such  powers  and  duties 
shall  be  exercised  by  said  clerical  members  alone. 
Provided,  that  no  sentence  shall  be  pronounced  upon 
a  clergyman  but  by  a  Bishop  ;  and  that,  where  there 
is  occasion  for  it,  some  neighboring  Bishop  shall  be 
invited  to  perform  the  office. 

ARTICLE  XL 

DEPUTIES  TO  THE  GENERAL  CONVENTION. 

At  every  annual  Convention,  four  clerical  and  four 
lay  Deputies  shall  be  elected  to  represent  this  Dio- 
cese in  the  General  Convention  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America. 
The  clerical  members  shall  be  presbj^ters,  canonically 
connected  with  the  Diocese  ;  and  the  laymen  shall  be 
communicants  of  some  parish  in  union  with  this  Con- 
vention. In  case  of  a  ftiilure  or  neglect  of  the  Con- 
vention to  elect  deputies,  those  already  in  office  shall 


CONSTITUTION.  9 


continue  until  successors  are  chosen.  At  the  stated 
meeting  of  the  Convention  next  preceding  each  tri- 
ennial meeting  of  the  General  Convention,  there 
shall,  also,  be  chosen  by  ballot  in  the  same  manner, 
and  with  the  same  qualifications  as  the  other  depu- 
ties, four  clergymen  and  four  laymen,  as  provisional 
deputies  from  whom  the  Bishop  shall  designate  one 
or  more,  as  the  case  may  be,  to  supply  any  deficiency 
in  the  representation  of  the  Diocese,  which  may  in 
an}^  way  occur.  And  the  person  or  persons  so  desig- 
nated by  the  Bishop,  being  furnished  with  his  cer- 
tificate thereof,  shall  have  all  the  power  and  author- 
ity of  deputies  duly  elected  by  the  convention.  In 
case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Episcopate,  or  inability  in 
the  Bishop  to  act,  this  designation  shall  be  exercised 
by  the  Standing  Committee. 

ARTICLE  XII. 

TRANSACTION   OF   BUSINESS. 

Section  1.  One-half  the  clergy  entitled  to  seats 
in  convention,  and  lay  representatives  from  one- 
fourth  of  the  parishes  in  union  with  the  Convention, 
at  any  time  duly  assembled,  shall  constitute  a  quo- 
rum for  the  transaction  of  business,  except  that  a 
smaller  number  may  adjourn  from  time  to  time. 

Sec.  2.  In  all  matters  which  shall  come  before 
the  convention,  the  clergy  and  laity  shall  deliberate 
in  one  body ;  and  in  voting,  the  clergy  shall  vote 
b}^  individuals  and  the  laity  by  congregations,  the 
delegation  from  each  church  being  entitled  to  one 
vote  and  no  more,  and  a  majority  of  votes  of  the 
two  orders  jointly  shall  be  decisive.  On  the  call  of 
any  five  members  the  two  orders  shall  vote  sepa- 


10  CONSTITUTION, 


rately,  and  a  concurrence  of  a  majority  of  each  order 
shall  be  necessary  to  constitute  a  decision. 

ARTICLE  XIII. 

ADMISSION   OF   NEW   PARISHES. 

New  Parishes  may  be  admitted  into  union  with 
this  Convention,  on  motion,  by  a  majority  of  votes, 
provided  they  shall  have  laid  before  the  Convention, 
through  its  Secretary,  at  least  one  month  before  the 
annual  meeting  of  the  same,  a  certificate  from  the 
Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  or  in  the  event  of  there  being 
no  Bishop,  from  the  Standing  Committee,  that  he  or 
they  approve  of  the  organization  of  such  parish; 
also  a  constitution,  subscribed  by  the  wardens,  in 
which  they  expressly  accede  to  the  Constitution, 
Canons,  Doctrines,  Discipline  and  Worship  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  to  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of 
the  church  in  the  Diocese  of  Illinois ;  also  evidence 
satisfactory  that  they  are  duly  incorporated  and 
regularly  organized,  by  the  election  of  two  wardens 
and  not  less  than  four  vestrymen  nor  more  than 
eight ;  and  that  the  parish  embraces  at  least  six  com- 
municants. These  facts  shall  be  duly  certified  by 
the  minister  under  whose  direction  the  parish  was 
organized,  and  by  the  wardens  of  the  same. 

ARTICLE  XIV. 

FORFEITURE   OF   PRIVILEGES. 

Any  parish  may  be  suspended  from  the  right  of 
representation  in  the  Convention,  or  its  connection 
with  the  Diocese  wholly  dissolved,  by  a  vote  of  two- 
thirds  of  each  order  whenever  the  same  shall  be 
deemed  necessary;  and  whenever,  in  the  opinion  of 


CONSTITUTION.  11 


the  Bishop,  any  parish  shall  be  liable  to  such  for- 
feiture of  privilege,  or  be  essentially  defunct,  he  shall 
signify  the  same  to  the  Convention,  who  may  pro- 
ceed forthwith  and  suspend  or  dissolve  the  said 
parish  as  the  case  may  require. 

ARTICLE  XV. 

ELECTION   OF   A   BISHOP. 

Section  1.  The  election  of  a  Bishop  for  this 
Diocese  shall  be  made  only  in  an  annual  convention, 
or  in  a  special  convention  called  for  the  purpose,  at 
least  sixty  days  before  the  time  appointed ;  the 
object  being  stated  by  notice  in  writing,  and  sent  by 
the  Secretary  of  the  Standing  Committee  to  every 
clergyman  and  vestry  of  the  Diocese. 

Sec.  2.  The  election  shall  be  made  in  the  follow- 
ing manner :  The  order  of  the  clergy  shall  nomi- 
nate, and  appoint  by  ballot,  some  fit  and  qualified 
clergyman  for  that  office ;  and  if  this  appointment 
be  approved  by  the  lay  order  voting  thereon  by 
ballot,  he  shall  be  declared  duly  elected.  If  two- 
thirds  of  all  the  clergy,  entitled  to  vote,  be  present, 
and  two-thirds  of  all  the  parishes,  entitled  to  vote, 
be  represented,  then  a  majority  of  each  order  shall 
determine  a  choice.  Should  there  not  be  two-thirds 
of  the  clergy  and  congregations  present,  then  two- 
thirds  of  the  votes  of  each  order  shall  be  necessary 
to  determine  a  choice. 

ARTICLE  XVI. 

OFFICERS. 

The  election  of  all  Officers  and  Representatives 
provided  for  in  this  Constitution  shall  be  by  ballot, 
unless  the  same  be  unanimously  dispensed  with  by 


12  CONSTITUTION. 


the  Convention;  and  in  the  event  of  a  failure  or 
neglect  to  elect  at  any  convention,  the  person  or 
persons  already  in  office  shall  hold  over  until  suc- 
cessors are  regularly  appointed. 

ARTICLE  XVII. 

ASSESSMENTS. 

This  Convention  shall  have  power  to  raise  money 
by  tax  or  assessment  on  the  churches  in  union  with 
it,  by  canon  or  by  special  vote,  for  the  necesary  and 
proper  expenses  of  the  Diocese  represented  by 
them,  viz. :  for  defraying  the  incidental  expenses  of 
the  convention ;  for  the  charges  of  the  General  Con- 
vention ;  for  the  support  of  the  Episcopate ;  for  eccle- 
siastical trials  and  discipline  ;  or  any  other  demands 
which  from  time  to  time  the  Convention  may 
approve  and  direct.  The  Convention  shall  also  have 
the  right  to  impose  such  penalty  as  they  may  see  fit 
within  their  lawful  power,  for  the  neglect  to  pay 
such  assessments  when  imposed. 

ARTICLE  XVIII. 

ALTERATIONS   OF   THIS   CONSTITUTION. 

The  mode  of  altering  this  Constitution  shall  be 
as  follows  :  A  proposition  for  amendment  shall  be 
introduced  in  writing  and  considered  in  the  Conven- 
tion ;  and,  if  approved  of,  shall  lie  over  to  the  next 
Convention ;  and  if  again  approved  of  in  that  Con- 
vention by  a  majority  of  the  two  orders,  voting 
separately,  the  change  shall  take  place,  and  the 
Constitution  so  altered  shall  be  valid  and  obliga- 
tory. 

ARTICLE  XIX. 

All  previous  Constitutions  of  this  convention  are 
hereby  annulled  and  repealed. 


O^N"ONS. 


CANON  I. 

OF   A   LIST  TO   BE   MADE   OF   MINISTERS   IN   THE   DIOCESE. 

Within  one  week  before  the  meeting  of  every 
convention  of  this  Diocese,  the  Bishop  (or,  in  case 
there  be  no  Bishop,  or  of  his  inability  or  disability 
to  act,  then  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  Diocese) 
shall  prepare,  or  cause  to  be  prepared,  a  list  of  all 
the  Ministers  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church, 
canonically  resident  in  this  Diocese ;  annexing  the 
names  of  their  respective  cures,  or  parishes,  or 
stations  as  missionaries ;  or  of  the  colleges,  acade- 
mies, or  general  seminaries  of  learning,  duly  incor- 
porated, in  which  they  are  engaged ;  or  in  regard 
to  those  who  are  not  engaged  in  parishes,  missions, 
or  institutions  of  learning,  as  above,  the  places  of 
residence  only ;  but  no  clergyman,  while  suspended 
from  the  ministry,  .shall  have  a  place  on  said  list ; 
and  such  list  shall  be  before  the  Convention  on  the 
first  day  of  the  meeting,  and  be  prefixed  to  the 
journal.  The  said  list  shall  be  taken  as  presumptive 
evidence  of  the  right  of  those  whose  names  shall 
appear  thereon,  and  of  the  right  of  none  others ; 
liable,  however  to  be  rebutted  by  other  evidence 
satisfactory  to  the  Convention. 


14  CANONS. 

CANON  II. 

OP  THE  MEMBERS  OF  THE  CONVENTION. 

Section  1.  The  right  of  any  clergyman  of  this 
Diocese  to  a  seat  in  the  Convention,  shall,  if  dis- 
puted, be  determined  according  to  the  provision  of 
the  Fifth  Article  of  the  Constitution,  by  the  Conven- 
tion itself;  whether  his  name  be  inserted  in  the  list 
aforesaid,  or  omitted. 

Sec.  2.  The  evidence  of  the  regular  admission 
of  a  clergyman  into  the  Diocese,  and  the  evidence  of 
settlement  in  a  parish  thereof,  shall  consist  in  proof 
satisfactory  to  the  Convention  of  a  compliance  with 
the  Canons  of  this  Diocese,  and  of  the  Canons  of 
the  General  Convention  in  that  behalf  for  the  time 
being.  In  all  cases  of  a  contested  right  to  a  seat, 
the  evidence  of  employment  as  a  Missionary  shall 
consist  in  the  certificate  of  the  Bishop,  or  in  case  of 
a  vacancy  in  the  Episcopate,  of  the  President  of  the 
Standing  Committee.  The  evidence  of  the  con- 
nection of  a  clergyman  with  a  seminary  of  learning 
duly  incorporated,  shall  consist,  also,  in  the  certifi- 
cate of  the  Bishop,  or  in  case  of  a  vacancy  of  the 
Episcopate,  of  the  President  of  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee. No  clergyman  shall  be  entitled  to  a  seat  as 
an  infirm  clergyman,  unless  he  shall  produce  a 
certificate  from  some  respectable  physician,  that  his 
state  of  health  unfits  him  for  the  active  duties  of  a 
minister,  and  there  be  evidence  that  at  the  time  his 
health  became  infirm,  he  was  entitled  to  a  seat  in 
the  Convention. 

Sec.  3.     The  appointment  of    a  lay  delegate  to 


CANONS.  15 

the  convention  of  this  Diocese,  shall  be  certified  in 
writing  by  the  Rector  or  Minister  of  the  parish  of 
which  he  is  the  representative,  or  by  one  of  the 
wardens,  and  by  the  clerk  of  the  vestry  of  such 
church.  Every  certificate  of  the  appointment  of  a 
lay  delegate,  shall  show  upon  its  face  that  the 
appointment  has  been  made  in  pursuance  of  all  the 
requirements  of  this  section,  and  shall  certify  that 
the  delegate  has  the  qualifications  required  by  the 
Fifth  Article  of  the  Constitution.  And  no  other  cer- 
tificate or  evidence  of  the  appointment  of  any  lay 
delegate  than  such  as  is  herein  required,  shall  be 
allowed  or  received. 


CANON  III. 

OF   THE   CALL   OF   CONVENTION. 

The  mode  of  giving  notice  of  the  meeting  of  any 
convention,  shall  be  by  a  circular  addressed  to  every 
clergyman  and  vestry  in  the  Diocese,  one  month  be- 
fore the  time  appointed :  and  whenever,  under  the 
provisions  of  the  Constitution,  a  special  convention 
is  called  for  any  particular  purpose,  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  the  Secretary,  in  the  notice  thereof  to  specify 
such  purpose.  It  is  also  hereby  declared  to  be  the 
duty  of  every  clergyman  entitled  to  a  seat,  to  at- 
tend the  meetings  of  the  convention ;  and  of  every 
church  in  union  with  the  convention  to  send  one  or 
more  delegates.  Each  church  is  required  to  make 
suitable  provision  by  collection,  or  otherwise,  for  the 
expenses  of  the  Minister  in  fulfilling  the  above  re- 
quired duty. 


CANONS, 


CANON  IV. 

OF   THE   BUSINESS   OF   CONVENTION. 

T.  At  the  opening  of  each  Annual  Convention 
after  Morning  Prayer,  Sermon,  and  the  administra- 
tion of  the  Holy  Communion,  the  President  shall 
take  the  chair ;  after  which  the  order  of  procedure 
shall  be  as  follows : 

1.  The  Secretary,  under  the  direction  of  the 
Bishop,  or  in  case  of  his  absence  or  inability  to  act,  or 
of  a  vacancy  in  the  Episcopate,  under  the  direction 
of  the  Standing  Committee,  shall  call  over  the  names 
of  the  clergy  entitled  to  seats. 

2.  He  shall  call  over  the  churches  entitled  to 
representation,  when  the  lay  delegates  shall  present 
their  certificates,  which  certificates  shall  be  examined 
by  the  Secretary,  and  a  committee  of  two  members 
appointed  by  the  presiding  officer.  Irregular  and 
defective  certificates,  and  certificates  and  documents 
referring  to  contested  seats,  shall  be  temporarily  laid 
aside.  The  names  of  the  lay  delegates  duly  ap- 
pointed, shall  then  be  called  ;  after  which  the  certifi- 
cates and  documents  laid  aside  shall  be  reported  to 
the  convention,  which  shall  decide  on  the  admission 
of  the  delegates  named  therein. 

3.  A  constitutional  quorum  being  present,  the 
President  shall  declare  the  convention  organized  for 
business,  which  shall  proceed  in  the  following  order : 

4.  Reading  of  the  Rules  of  Order. 

5.  The  election  of  a  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and 
an  Assistant  Secretary,  if  required. 

6.  The  appointment  of  the  following  Standing 
Committees  by  the  President : 


CANONS.  17 


1.  On  the  Incorporation  of  Churches,  and  their  admission 
into  union  with  the  Convention  —  one  clergyman  and  two 
laymen. 

2.  A  Committee  on  Finance  ;  to  whom  shall  be  referred  the 
accounts  of  the  Treasurer,  and  different  Funds — one  clergy- 
man, and  two  laymen. 

3.  A  Committee  on  Privilege  ;  to  whom  shall  be  referred 
the  clerical  or  lay  claims  for  a  seat  in  the  convention — two 
clergymen  and  two  laymen. 

4.  A  Committee  on  Legislation ;  to  whom  shall  be  re- 
ferred all  proposed  alterations  and  amendments  of  the  Consti- 
tutions and  Canons — at  least  two  clergymen  and  two  laymen. 

5.  A  Committee  on  the  Extension  of  the  Church  ;  to 
whom  shall  be  referred  the  subjects  of  Missions,  Education, 
and  the  other  work  of  the  church. 

7.  The  appointment  of  Inspectors  of  Elections — 
one  clergyman  and  one  layman  for  the  clerical 
votCvS,  and  one  clergyman  and  one  layman  for  the 
lay  votes ;  for  the  Standing  Committee  ;  the  depu- 
ties and  provisional  deputies  to  the  General  Con- 
vention ;  and  the  "  Trustees  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  Diocese  of  Illinois." 

8.  The  receiving,  and  referring  when  necessary, 
of  Reports,  other  than  those  of  special  committees, 
which  ma}^  have  been  handed  in  to  the  Secretary. 

9.  The  receiving  and  referring  of  applications  of 
churches  for  admission  into  union  with  this  Conven- 
tion. 

10.  Miscellaneous  business. 

11.  On  the  second  day,  the  order  of  business, 
after  Morning  Prayer,  shall  be  : 

1.  Reading  and  approving  of  the  Minutes. 

2.  Receiving  certificates  of  lay  delegates  not  pre- 
sent before. 

2 


18  CANONS. 

3.  Calling  over  the  names  of  members  not  pre- 
sent on  the  first  day. 

4.  Report  of  the  Committee  on  the  Incorpora- 
tion of  Churches. 

5.  Admission  of  parishes  into  union  with  the  Con- 
vention. 

6.  Reception  of  the  clergy  and  lay  delegates  of 
the  same. 

7.  Annual  Address  of  the  Bishop ;  unless  he 
should  prefer  another  time  for  its  delivery,  if  so,  it 
shall  be  at  any  time  in  order. 

8.  Report  of  the  Secretary,  when  any  business 
has  been  committed  to  that  officer. 

9.  Report  of  the  Standing  and  Missionary  Com- 
mittee of  the  Diocese. 

10.  Report  of  the  "  Trustees  of  the  Diocese  of 
Illinois."  ■' 

11.  Report  of  the  standing  committee  on  the 
Treasurer's  report. 

12.  Report  of  special  committees. 

13.  The  election  of  the  Standing  Committee,  the 
Deputies  and  the  provisional  Deputies  to  the  Gen- 
eral Convention,  and  the  "  Trustees  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  in  the  Diocese  of  Illinois." 

14.  Miscellaneous  business. 

III.  On  the  third,  and  any  subsequent  day,  the 
order  of  business,  after  Morning  Prayer,  shall  be : 

1.  Reading  and  approval  of  the  Minutes. 

2.  Receiving  the  certificates  of  lay  delegates  not 
present  before. 

3.  Calling  the  names  of  members  not  present 
before. 


CANONS.  19 

4.  Reports  not  presented  the  day  before,  in  order. 

5.  Miscellaneous  business. 

IV.  If  the  prescribed  order  of  business  on  any 
day  should  not  have  been  gone  through  with,  the  first 
business  on  the  succeeding  day  shall  be  the  matters 
which  had  not  been  reached  on  the  preceding  day, 
and  in  the  order  for  that  day  prescribed.  This  rule 
shall  not  apply  to  miscellaneous  business. 

V.  If  the  President,  ex  officio,  is  not  present  at  the 
opening  of  the  Convention,  the  Secretary  shall  call 
the  Convention  to  order,  when  the  senior  presbyter 
present,  being  entitled  to  a  seat,  shall  take  the  chair ; 
and  in  such  case,  immediately  after  the  organization 
of  the  Convention,  a  President  shall  be  elected  by 
ballot  from  among  the  clergy. 

VI.  Before  the  rising  of  the  Convention,  the  min- 
utes of  the  last  day's  meeting  shall  be  read  and 
approved. 


CANON  V. 

THE   SECRETARY. 

Section  1.  In  addition  to  the  constitutional  pro- 
visions, it  is  hereby  made  the  duty  of  the  Secretary 
to  transmit  annually  to  each  of  the  Bishops  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States, 
and  to  the  Secretary  of  the  last  House  of  Clerical 
and  Lay  Deputies  in  the  General  Convention,  and  to 
the  Secretary  of  every  Diocesan  Convention,  a  copy 
of  the  journal  of  the  Convention,  and  shall  request 


20  CANONS. 

the  last  to  send  copies  of  their  respective  journals  in 
exchange.  He  shall  also  transmit  to  each  General 
Convention  a  certificate  of  the  appointment  of  cler- 
ical and  lay  deputies,  and  of  the  nomination  of 
trustees  of  the  General  Theological  Seminary. 

Sec.  2.  The  Secretary  shall,  within  thirty  days 
after  the  annual  Convention  shall  have  adjourned  sine 
die,  furnish  to  the  Treasurer  a  certified  statement  of 
all  accounts  allowed  by  the  Convention,  and  the 
Treasurer  shall  pay  the  same ;  and  also  any  claims 
and  accounts  duly  allowed  and  certified  by  the  Stand- 
ing Committee,  during  the  recess  of  the  Convention, 
(but  none  other,)  out  of  any  money  in  his  hands  not 
otherwise  appropriated. 


CANON  VI. 

OF   THE   TREASUEEE. 

In  addition  to  the  provisions  constitutional  and  by 
canon,  the  Treasurer  shall  also  procure  and  keep  a 
properly  bound  book,  in  which  shall  be  entered  ac- 
counts and  statements  in  detail,  of  all  moneys  received 
and  disbursed  by  him ;  and  shall  also  keep  accounts 
with  the  several  parishes,  in  which  he  shall  charge 
them  with  the  amounts  assessed,  etc.,  ujjon  each,  and 
credit  them  with'  the  amount  paid  by  them  respect- 
ively. The  Secretary's  journals  and  records,  and  the 
Treasurer's  books,  shall  be  at  all  times  open  to  the 
inspection  of  the  Bishop,  of  the  Standing  Committee 
of  the  Diocese,  and  of  the  Convention  or  any  com- 
mittee thereof.  Within  one  week  before  the  opening 
of  each  annual  Convention,  he  shall  prepare  a  list 


CANONS.  21 


and  hand  the  same  to  the  Secretary,  of  all  the  par- 
ishes delinquent  in  the  full  payment  of  dues,  assess- 
ments or  other  charges,  imposed  by  order  of  the  Con- 
vention, and  the  liability  to  penalty,  if  any,  incurred 
by  said  delinquency ;  and  if  in  consequence  of  this, 
the  parish  shall  not  be  entitled  to  representation,  he 
shall  state  that  fact,  and  the  name  of  the  said  parish 
shall  be  omitted  by  the  Secretary  in  calling  the  roll 
of  the  churches  entitled  to  representation,  for  the 
presentation  of  the  certificates  of  lay  delegates.  The 
names  of  the  delinquent  parishes  shall  be  read  after 
the  names  of  the  lay  delegates,  duly  appointed,  shall 
have  been  called,  and  the  convention  declared  duly 
organized.  The  convention  may  take  such  action  in 
each  case,  as  they  may  deem  proper. 


CANON  VII. 

OF  DIOCESAN   MISSIONS. 

Section  1.  The  Board  of  Missions  of  this  Diocese 
shall  consist  of  the  Bishop,  together  with  the  Stand- 
ing Committee,  of  which  Board  the  Bishop  shall  be 
ex  officio  President. 

Sec.  2.  The  Standing  Committee  may  at  any  time 
resolve  itself  into  the  Board  of  Missions,  at  the  re- 
quest of  the  Bishop ;  and  in  case  this  request  be 
made  by  letter,  then  the  Board  may  act  on  such  busi- 
ness only  as  the  Bishop  may  designate. 

Sec.  3.  No  Missionary  shall  be  appointed  by  the 
Board,  unless  he  shall  first  have  been  nominated  by 
the  Bishop. 

Sec  4.  The  Treasurer  of  the  Convention  shall  be 
the  Treasurer  for  Diocesan  Missions. 


22  CANONS. 


CANON  VIII. 

OP   PAEOCHIAL   ASSOCIATION   AND   INCORPORATION. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  lawful  for  any  number  of 
persons  not  less  than  twelve,  males  of  full  age, 
friendly  to  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  desirous  of 
concentrating  their  endeavors,  to  associate  and  organ- 
ize themselves  as  a  Parish  in  the  following  manner : 

L  Notice  shall  first  be  given  to  the  Bishop,  or,  if 
there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  President  of  the  Standing 
Committee,  of  the  intention  thus  to  associate  and 
organize.  Said  notice  shall  be  in  writing,  and  con- 
tain such  information  in  the  premises,  as  may  enable 
the  Bishop  to  judge  of  the  propriety  of  the  act, 
which  paper  shall  be  signed  by  the  persons  respect- 
ively, who  propose  to  organize.  If  the  Bishop  ap- 
prove of  the  proposed  organization,  he  shall  give  a 
written  certificate  to  that  effect,  which  approval  shall 
be  transmitted  to  the  Secretary  of  the  Convention 
with  the  other  papers,  and  the  approval  of  the  Bish- 
op of  the  organization  be  essential  for  the  admission 
of  the  parish  into  union  with  the  Convention.  The 
notice  to  the  Bishop  shall  contain  the  following  Ar- 
ticle :  "  We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  affixed,  deep- 
ly sensible  of  the  truth  of  the  Christian  Religion, 
and  earnestly  desirous  of  promoting  its  holy  influences 
in  our  own  hearts,  and  in  those  of  our  families  and 
neighbors,  do  hereby  associate  ourselves  under  the 

name  of ,  in  communion  with  the  Protestant 

Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of  America, 
and  the  Diocese  of  Illinois,  the  authority  of  whose 
constitutions  and  canons  we  do  hereby  recognize,  and 
to  whose  liturgy  and  mode  of  worship  and  discipline 
we  promise  conformity." 


CANONS.  23 

On  the  approval  by  the  Bishop,  or  in  the  event  of 
a  vacancy  in  the  Episcopate,  by  the  President  of  the 
Standing  Committee,  of  the  proposed  organization, 
the  proceedings  shall  be  as  follows : 

1.  Notice  shall  be  given,  on  some  occasion  of 
public  morning  service,  at  least  two  weeks  previous 
to  the  time  of  meeting,  that  the  persons  belonging 
to  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  or  desirous  of 
uniting  with  the  same,  will  meet  at  a  time  and  place 
specified,  for  the  purpose  of  incorporating  them- 
selves, adopting  a  constitution  for  the  parish,  and 
electing  the  requisite  number  of  wardens  and  vestry- 
men. This  notice  shall  be  given  by  the  clergyman, 
if  there  be  one,  and,  if  not,  by  some  neighboring 
clergyman,  invited  to  hold  service,  and  give  the 
notice,  and  also  to  preside  on  the  occasion  of  the 
meeting  for  organization. 

2.  At  the  time  of  the  meeting,  the  clergyman,  as 
aforesaid,  shall  preside;  a  Secretary  shall  be  appoint- 
ed ;  a  book  provided  for  the  minutes,  in  which  should 
be  first  entered  the  names  of  the  persons  who  attend, 
and  are  qualified  to  vote,  and  a  record  made  of  all 
papers  and  action,  previously  had,  in  reference  to  the 
association  and  organization. 

3.  A  Constitution  for  the  Parish  shall  then  be 
adopted  according  to  the  following  prescribed  form : 

CONSTITUTION  OF  A  PARISH  OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCO- 
PAL CHURCH,  IN  THE  DIOCESE  OF  ILLINOIS. 

ARTICLE  I. 

ACCEDING   TO   THE   GENERAL   AND   DIOCESAN   CONSTITUTION, 
CANONS,    &C. 

This  parish,  as  a  constituent  part  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  in  the  Diocese  of  Illinois,  expressly 


24  CANONS, 


accedes  to,  recognizes  and  adopts  the  Constitution, 
Canons,  Doctrines,  Discipline  and  Worship  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America,  and  the  Constitution  and  Canons  of  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  Diocese,  and  ac- 
knowledges their  authority  accordingly. 

ARTICLE  11. 

USE   OF  THE   CHURCH   BUILDING. 

The  Church  Building,  or  house  of  worship,  belong- 
ing to  this  parish,  may  be  opened  for  all  services, 
rites,  ceremonies,  or  other  purposes,  either  author- 
ized or  approved  of  by  the  Protestant  Episcopal 
Church  in  the  United  States  of  America,  or  the 
Protestant  Episcopal  Church  in  this  Diocese. 

ARTICLE  III. 

RECTOR   AND    MINISTER. 

Section  1.  The  Rector  is,  ex  officio,  President  of 
the  Vestry,  and  of  the  congregation,  and  has  the 
casting  vote,  in  case  of  a  tie,  on  all  questions  brought 
before  it. 

Sec.  2.  The  Minister  has  the  spiritual  oversight 
of  this  parish,  and  the  church  building  shall  be  open 
to  him  for  public  common  prayer,  catechetical  or 
other  religious  instruction,  for  marriages,  baptisms, 
funerals,  and  all  other  rites  and  ceremonies  author- 
ized by  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  at  such 
times  as  he  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Minister  to 
enter  in  the  church  register  all  baptisms,  marriages, 
burials,  and  confirmations,  occurring  within  his  cure  ; 
to  keep  an  accurate  list  of  communicants,  and  also  a 
register  of  the  families  and  individuals  belonging  to 
the  parish. 

Sec  4.  The  Minister  of  this  parish  shall,  at  the 
end  of  every  civil  year,  present  to   the  Wardens  a 


CANONS.  25 

full,  faithful,  and  accurate  written  account  of  all 
offerings  received  and  disbursed  by  him  in  his  official 
capacity  as  almoner  of  the  church,  which  account 
the  Wardens  shall  present  to  the  Vestry,  to  be  by 
them  examined  and  entered  in  the  "Record  book"  of 
the  church,  and  the  original  shall  be  placed  upon 
file  among  the  parish  documents.  This  annual  ac- 
count shall  distinctly  state  the  sources  from  whence 
the  offerings  came,  and  the  persons  or  objects  to 
which  they  were  applied.  It  is  left  discretionary 
with  the  Minister  to  withhold  names,  where  prudence 
or  a  regard  for  the  feelings  of  individuals  render  it 
expedient. 

ARTICLE  TV. 

WARDENS. 

Section  1.  The  Senior  Warden,  or  in  case  of  his 
inability  to  act,  then  the  Junior  Warden  shall  have 
the  care  of  the  "  Record  book  "  of  the  parish,  and 
shall  cause  to  be  copied  therein  all  documents  bear- 
ing upon  the  history  of  the  parish. 

Sec.  2.  The  Wardens  shall  have  a  care  that  the 
church  building  be  kept  from  all  secular,  or  other 
uses  not  authorized  by  Article  II  of  this  Constitu- 
tion ;  that  it  be  kept  in  good  repair  as  becometh  the 
house  of  God. 

Sec.  3.  In  case  there  be  no  Rector,  or  of  absence, 
or  inability  to  act  on  his  part,  the  Wardens,  according 
to  seniority,  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the 
vestry,  and  of  the  congregation.  In  case  both  the 
Rector  and  Wardens  be  absent,  a  Vestryman  shall  be 
chosen  to  preside. 

Sec.  4.  In  case  there  be  any  clergyman  of  the 
church,  residing  within  this  parish,  who  shall  con- 
duct himself  in  such  a  way  as  is  contrary  to  the 
rules  of  the  church,  and  disgraceful  to  his  office, 
the  Wardens  shall  in  writing  give  notice  thereof  to 
the  Bishop  of  the  Diocese,  or  to  the  Standing  Com- 
mittee, if  there  be  no  Bishop. 


26  CANONS. 

Sec.  5.  In  the  absence  of  the  Wardens,  their 
several  duties  shall  devolve  upon  the  Vestrymen. 

ARTICLE  V. 

ANNUAL   ELECTIONS. 

The  congregation  of  this  parish  shall  .meet  annually 
on  Monday  of  Easter  week,  and  elect  two  Church 
Wardens,  and  not  less  than  three,  nor  more  than 
eight  Vestrymen,  who  shall  continue  to  discharge 
the  functions  of  their  office  during  one  year,  or 
until  their  successors  are  elected,  in  accordance  with 
the  provisions  of  the  act  of  the  Legislature  on  the 
subject. 

ARTICLE  VI. 

VESTRYMEN. 

Section  1.  The  Vestrymen,  together  with  the 
Wardens,  shall  transact  all  the  temporal  business  of 
the  parish ;  shall  collect  and  disburse  all  money  due 
for  church  purposes ;  and  shall  at  the  end  of  every 
civil  year,  if  the  treasury  be  deficient,  collect  as 
far  as  practicable,  by  subscriptions  or  otherwise,  a 
sum  sufficient  to  liquidate  all  the  current  expenses 
of  the  church. 

Sec.  2.  The  Vestry  shall,  on  or  before  Easter 
Monday,  cause  to  be  written  and  placed  in  the  hands 
of  the  Minister,  but  if  there  be  no  Minister,  then 
the  Senior  Warden — a  full,  accurate  and  faithful 
statement  of  the  temporal  condition  of  the  parish, 
as  a  body  corporate,  and  at  the  Imeeting  of  the  con- 
gregation on  Easter  Monday,  the  Minister  or  Senior 
Warden  shall,  before  balloting  for  Wardens  and 
Vestrymen,  present  and  read  the  same  to  the  con- 
gregation, and  afterward  deliver  it  to  the  new  Vestry, 
to  be  by  them  examined  and  entered  in  the  Record 
book  of  the  church,  and  the  original  shall  be  placed 
on  file  among  the  parish  documents.  The  said  state- 
ment  shall   declare    what  money,   lands,   or   other 


CANONS.  27 

property,  have  been  received  during  their  term  of 
office,  and  from  what  som^ce.  It  shall  further  de- 
clare what  money  has  been  expended,  and  for  what 
objects ;  what  property  has  been  purchased,  ex- 
changed, mortgaged,  sold  or  otherwise  alienated  or 
encumbered,  and  for  what  purposes. 

ARTICLE  VII. 

SECRETARY  AND  TREASURER. 

Section  1.  A  Secretary  and  Treasurer  shall  be 
annually  elected  by  the  vestry,  who  shall  serve  until 
their  successors  in  office  are  chosen. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Secretary  to 
attend  all  meetings  of  the  Vestry ;  to  take  minutes 
of  its  proceedings,  and  when  approved,  to  enter  and 
attest  the  same  in  the  "  Book  of  Minutes "  of  the 
Vestry ;  it  shall  be  his  further  duty  to  enter  in  the 
"  Record  book  "  of  the  church  the  minister's  annual 
account  of  offerings,  and  the  vestry's  annual  account 
of  the  temporal  condition  of  the  parish,  and  to  pre- 
serve on  file  all  the  originals. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Treasurer  to 
receive  all  money  collected  under  the  authority  of 
the  Vestry,  the  reception  and  disbursement  of  which 
is  not  otherwise  provided  for ;  and  in  case  there  be 
no  collector  appointed  by  the  vestry,  he  shall  also 
collect  the  same. 

Sec.  4.  No  money  shall  be  paid  by  the  Treasurer 
except  on  an  order  from  the  Vestry,  signed  by  one  of 
the  Wardens.  The  Treasurer  shall  present  to  the 
Vestry,  at  least  two  weeks  before  Easter  Monday,  a 
full  and  accurate  statement,  accompanied  with 
vouchers,  of  all  moneys  received  and  paid  by  his 
department,  since  the  last  annual  statement. 

Sec.  5.  The  Treasurer,  if  he  be  not  a  member  of 
the  vestry,  shall  attend  its  meetings  when  requested, 
and  be  guided  by  its  advice  in  all  matters  pertaining 


28  CANONS. 

to  the   duties  of  his  office,  and  be  ready  to  answer 
all  questions  as  to  the  state  of  the  treasury. 

ARTICLE  VIII. 

VESTRY    MEETINGS. 

Section  I.  Quarterly  meetings  of  the  Vestry  shall 
be  held  on  the  first  Monday  of  May,  August,  Novem- 
ber and  February. 

Sec.  2.  Special  meetings  may  be  held  at  such 
times  as  the  minister,  or  any  two  of  the  members, 
may  desire.  At  every  meeting  of  the  vestry,  the 
minutes  of  the  last  meeting  shall  be  read,  and,  if  cor- 
rect, approved  ;  if  incorrect,  amended  and  approved. 
At  every  quarterly  meeting,  the  minutes  of  the  last 
quarterly,  and  of  all  subsequent  special  meetings, 
shall  be  read. 

ARTICLE  IX. 

ALTERING   OF   CONSTITUTION. 

Alterations,  amendments  or  additions  may  at  any 
time  be  made  to  this  Constitution  by  the  annual 
Diocesan  Convention. 


CANON  VIII. 

CONTINUED. 

4.  All  the  provisions  of  the  statute  for  religious 
incorporations  of  the  State  of  Illinois,  and  of  any 
Canon  of  the  General  Convention,  shall  be  strictly 
followed  and  observed,  and  all  the  acknowledgments 
or  record  thereby  required,  be  duly  made,  and  the 
whole  proceedings  of  the  meeting  be  certified  by  its 
presiding  officer  and  Secretary. 

5.  The  application  for  admission  into  union  with 
the  convention  of  the  Diocese  shall  be  forwarded  to 
the   Secretary  of  the  convention  at  least  one  month 


CANONS.  29 


before  the  meeting  of  the  annual  Convention,  which 
application  shall  be  accompanied  with  a  copy  of  the 
minutes  duly  certified,  and  of  all  the  other  papers, 
the  certificate  of  the  Bishop,  approving  of  the  organ- 
ization, and  the  proof  of  record  or  other  acts  required 
by  the  statute.  Provided,  however,  that  such  parish 
shall  have  at  least  six  communicants  to  entitle  it  to 
a  representation  in  the  convention. 


CANON  IX. 

OF   VESTRIES. 

Section  1.  On  Easter  Monday,  or  some  other  day 
in  each  year,  the  parishioners  of  each  church  shall 
elect  a  Vestry,  to  consist  of  a  senior  and  junior  war- 
den, who  shall  be  communicants,  and  from  three  to 
eight  Vestrymen,  who  shall  be  baptized  persons,  if 
such,  suitable  for  the  office,  can  be  had ;  and  the 
Vestry  may  fill  vacancies  occurring  in  their  own  body; 
and  only  the  male  communicants  of  a  parish,  and 
such  other  persons,  not  under  age,  as  have  signed  the 
articles  of  parochial  association,  or  during  the  pre- 
vious year  have  contributed  to  the  support  of  the 
church  in  that  parish,  and  frequented  its  services, 
shall  be  entitled  to  vote  in  any  parish  election. 

Sec.  2.  In  the  absence  of  the  rector,  one  of  the 
wardens  shall  preside  in  Vestry  meetings.  The  Vestry 
shall  elect  a  clerk,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  take  min- 
utes of  their  proceedings  ;  to  preserve  their  journals 
and  records;  to  attest  the  public  acts  of  the  Vestry; 
and  to  perform  such  other  duties  as  shall  be  legally 
assigned  him.  He  shall  deliver  into  the  hands  of  his 
successor  all  books  and  papers  relative  to  the  con- 
cerns of  the  church,  which  may  be  in  his  possession. 


30  CANONS. 

Sec.  3.  The  duties  of  the  Vestry  shall  be  to  take 
charge  of  the  property  of  the  Church ;  to  attend  to 
and  regulate  all  its  temporal  concerns ;  to  make  ar- 
rangement for  the  support  of  the  rector ;  and  to  sup- 
ply his  place  in  case  of  a  vacancy.  They  shall 
continue  in  office  until  their  successors  be  choseUj 
and  shall  be  considered  trustees  of  their  respective 
churches,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the 
law  of  this  State  for  the  incorporation  of  religious 
societies.     (See  Revised  Code,  pp.  120-21.) 


CANON  X. 

OP   THE   SETTLEMENT   OP   CLERGYMEN   IN   PARISHES. 

Section  1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  wardens  of 
every  parish  to  give  written  notice  to  the  Bishop, 
and,  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  to  the  Standing  Commit- 
tee, so  soon  as  a  vacancy  shall  occur  in  the  pastoral 
charge  of  the  same. 

Sec.  2.  On  the  call  of  a  clergyman  being  made, 
and  an  answer,  favorable  to  his  acceptance  of  the 
same,  received,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  "Wardens 
to  give  immediate  notice  to  the  Bishop ;  or,  if  there 
be  no  Bishop,  to  the  Standing  Committee,  according 
to  Canon  VII,  of  General  Convention  of  1856. 

Sec.  3.  No  clergyman  shall  be  admitted  to  the 
pastoral  charge  of  any  congregation  in  this  Diocese, 
without  producing  to  the  Vestry  thereof  a  certificate 
from  the  Bishop,  or,  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Epis- 
copate, from  the  Standing  Committee,  that  he  has 
produced  to  him  or  them  testimonials  of  his  religious 
and  moral  conduct ;  as  prescribed  by  the  Canons  of 
the  General  Convention. 


CANONS.  31 

CANON  XL 

PARISH   REGISTERS   AND   PAROCHIAL   REPORTS. 

Section  1.  In  the  register  required  by  Canon 
XXIX,  of  the  General  Convention  of  1832,  to  be 
kept  in  each  parish,  shall  be  specified  the  name  and 
time  of  the  birth  of  the  child  baptized,  with  the 
names  of  the  sponsors  and  parents ;  the  name  of  the 
adult  baptized,  and  the  witnesses ;  the  names  of  the 
parties  married,  and  of  two  or  more  special  witnesses 
of  the  same,  and  the  place  where  the  marriage  was 
solemnized ;  the  names  of  the  persons  buried,  the 
place  of  interment,  and  also  the  time  when  each  rite 
was  performed.  It  shall  also  contain  a  list  of  the 
communicants,  which  shall  embrace  all  within  the 
parish,  as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained ;  and  also  a 
list  of  the  families  and  adult  persons  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable ;  and  also  an  accurate  list  of  the  persons  con- 
firmed from  time  to  time  by  the  Bishop.  The 
Register  shall  be  kept  by  the  minister  in  a  suitable 
book,  to  be  provided  by  the  vestry  ;  which  book  shall 
be  the  "Parish  Register,"  and  shall  be  preserved  by 
the  vestry  as  a  part  of  the  records  of  the  church. 

Sec.  2.  Every  minister  of  this  Diocese  shall,  on  or 
before  the  first  day  of  every  annual  Convention,  pre- 
sent or  send  to  the  Bishop,  or,  if  there  be  no  Bishop, 
to  the  President  of  the  Convention,  a  statement  of 
the  number  baptized  and  confirmed  since  the  last 
annual  Convention,  the  number  of  those  who  partake 
of  the  Lord's  Supper,  specifying  the  additions  or  re- 
movals that  may  have  taken  place,  and  the  number 
of  marriages  and  funerals.  He  shall  also  report  the 
number  of  pupils;and  teachers,  connected  with  Sun- 


32  CANONS. 

day  school  instruction  in  the  parish,  and  the  amount 
of  "offerings  of  the  church,"  stating  the  objects  to 
which  such  offerings  are  appropriated,  and  what  has 
been-  done,  in  comphance  with  the  requisitions  of  the 
Convention.  Tlie  Parochial  Report  may  also  present 
concisely  any  other  matters  of  fact  which  show  the 
state  of  the  parish. 

Sec.  3.  In  every  case  where  a  parish  is  destitute 
of  a  minister,  the  register  contemplated  in  this  Canon, 
shall  be  kept  by  some  person  appointed  by  the  vestry 
for  that  purpose. 


CANON  XII. 

OF    THE   SUPPORT   OF   MINISTERS. 

Whereas,  it  is  enjoined  that  the  Minister  of  the 
Gospel  shall  live  of  the  Gospel,  and  it  is  the  right  and 
duty  of  every  parishioner  or  member  of  a  congrega- 
tion to  contribute  his  or  her  share  to  the  support  of 
the  ministry,  as  God  hath  given  ability ;  and,  where- 
as, it  is  the  business  of  the  vestry  of  each  parish  or 
congregation  to  take  care  for  the  fulfillment  of  the 
divine  command,  by  the  diligence  of  the  people :  It 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vestry  of  each  parish  or  con- 
gregation to  provide,  by  taking  care  for  the  gather- 
ing of  offering  in  divine  service,  or  by  the  procure- 
ment and  collection  of  subscriptions,  or  of  pew  rents, 
by  committees  or  otherwise,  for  the  payment  of  the 
amount  stipulated  for  the  support  of  the  rector  or 
minister,  or  ministers,  quarterly ;  and  it  shall  be  the 
duty  of  every  rector  or  minister,  in  his  annual  report 
to  the  Bishop,  to  state  distinctly  what  sum  has  been 


CANONS.  33 


agreed  upon  between  the  parish  and  himself  as  the 
annual  salary,  and  what  portion,  if  any,  of  that  sala- 
ry has  been  left  unpaid. 


CANON  XIII. 

OF   PAROCHIAL   ASSESSMENTS   AND   COLLECTIONS. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  every  parish  to  contribute 
and  forward  to  each  annual  Convention,  a  sum  equal 
to  fifteen  cents  for  each  communicant  in  the  same, 
to  defray  the  contingent  expenses  of  the  Diocese ; 
and  at  the  annual  Convention,  immediately  preced- 
ing the  triennial  meeting  of  the  General  Convention, 
an  additional  sum  of  ten  cents  for  each  communi- 
cant, for  the  dues  and  expenses  incident  to  that  body ; 
and  it  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  each  parish  to  pay  in 
regular  quarterly  payments,  for  the  support  of  the 
Episcopate,  a  sum  equal  to  one  dollar  for  every  com- 
municant in  the  parish,  (the  number  of  communicants 
to  be  determined  by  the  last  annual  report,)  until  a 
fund  shall  be  provided  for  that  purpose.  All  such 
parishes  as  fail  to  pay  their  quota  of  all  assessments 
imposed  by  the  authority  of  the  Convention,  shall 
not  be  entitled  to  representation,  unless  excused  by 
the  Convention  b}'  special  vote. 


CANON  XIV. 

AGED   AND   INFIRM   CLERGYMEN. 


Section  1.  It  is  hereby  declared  to  be  the  duty 
of  every  Rector,  officiating  Minister  and  Missionary, 
to  make  a  collection  in  his  respective  congregation  on 
the   day   appointed  for  annual  Thanksgiving,  to   be 


34  CANONS. 

appropriated  to  the  relief  of  aged  and  infirm  Clergy 
in  the  Diocese. 

Sec.  2.  The  collection  shall  be  sent  immediately 
to  the  Treasurer  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church,  who  shall  keep  the  fund  separate 
from  other  funds,  to  be  paid  out  as  hereinafter  pro- 
vided. 

Sec.  3.  The  Bishop  and  Standing  Committee 
shall  appropriate  this  money  to  those  entitled  to  it, 
according  to  their  discretion,  a  report  of  which  shall 
be  submitted  to  each  Convention,  and  spread  upon 
the  journal. 


CANON  XV. 

CONCERNING   ELECTIONS. 


Elections  by  ballot,  when  required  by  the  Canons, 
may  be  dispensed  with  by  a  unanimous  vote  of  the 
Convention ;  and  when  an  election  is  by  ballot,  a 
majority  of  the  votes  in  each  order  shall  be  neces- 
sary to  a  valid  election. 


CANON  XYI. 

OP    VACANT    PARISHES. 

Whenever  a  parish  shall  have  become  vacant,  and 
the  wardens  shall  have  given  the  required  notice 
thereof  to  the  Bishop,  he  shall  appoint  those  of  the 
clergy  in  the  Diocese,  who  can  with  most  conven- 
ience discharge  the  duty,  to  supply  such  vacant 
parishes  as  have  been  reported  to  him,  at  such  time 
as  may  be  deemed  convenient  and  proper.  And  at 
any  Convention,  the   clergy  so  appointed,   shall  be 


C  A  N  0  N  S  .  36 

called  on  for  an  account  of  the  fulfillment  of  the 
duty,  and  to  make  a  full  report  concerning  the  state 
of  the  parish  which  they  have  visited.  It  shall  be 
the  duty  of  such  vacant  parishes  thus  supplied,  to 
defray  all  of  the  expenses  incident  to  such  occasional 
services. 


CANON  XYII. 

OF   PREPARING    A    REPORT    OX    THE    STATE    OF   THE   CHURCH. 

In  order  to  carry  into  effect  the  recommendations 
contained  in  Canon  LI  of  the  General  Convention, 
a  committee  of  the  convention  of  this  Diocese  shall 
be  appointed  •  at  a  regular  meeting  of  the  same,  next 
before  every  stated  meeting  of  the  General  Conven- 
tion, to  draft,  with  the  advice  and  approbation  of  the 
Bishop,  a  report  of  the  state  of  the  Church,  to  be 
presented  to  the  General  Convention. 


CANON  XVIII. 

OF   PAROCHIAL    INSTRUCTION. 

Section  1.  On  notice  being  received  by  a  minis- 
ter or  missionary  from  the  Bishop,  of  his  intention 
to  visit  the  parish  or  parishes  of  said  minister  or 
missionary,  it  shall  be  his  duty  to  give  notice  thereof 
to  his  congregation  or  congregations,  on  their  first 
meeting  thereafter  for  public  worship ;  and  also, 
immediate  notice  thereof  to  the  members  individu- 
ally, as  opportunity  may  offer.  He  shall  also,  on 
said  occasion  of  public  worship,  invite  the  children 
of  due  age,  and  others  not  confirmed,  to  advise  with 
him  concerning  their  coming  to  that  holy  ordinance  ; 


36  CANONS. 

and  he  shall  diligently  and  faithfully  prepare  them 
for  the  same.  And  he  shall  be  ready  to  present  for 
confirmation  those  who  shall  have  been  previously 
instructed  and  prepared ;  and  shall  deliver  to  the 
Bishop  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  presented. 

Sec.  2.  Every  minister  of  a  parish  shall  instruct 
the  children  in  the  Catechism  publicly  in  the  church ; 
and  shall  encourage  the  formation  of  Sunday  schools, 
and  efficient  instruction  in  them,  in  conformity  with 
the  principles  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church. 
He  shall  report  the  number  of  catechumens  and  of 
scholars  and  teachers  in  his  annual  Parochial  Report. 


CANON  XIX. 

OF   LAY   READERS. 

None  shall  be  considered  as  authorized  to  officiate 
as  a  Laj'  Reader  in  this  Diocese,  except  in  cases  of 
particular  emergency,  without  a  written  license  from 
the  Bishop  ;  or,  in  case  of  a  vacancy  in  the  Episco- 
pate, from  the  Standing  Committee  ;  and  Lay 
Readers  shall  in  all  cases  conform  to  the  provisions 
of  the  Xlth  Canon  of  the  General  Convention. 


CANON  XX. 

OF   THE   TRIAL    OF    A    CLERGYMAN    NOT    BEING    A    BISHOP. 

Whenever  any  minister  of  this  Diocese,  not  being 
a  Bishop  thereof,  shall  become  liable  to  presentment 
and  trial  under  the  provisions  of  any  Canon  of  the 
General  or  Diocesan  Convention,  the  mode  of  pro- 
ceeding in  this  Diocese  shall  be  as  follows,  viz. : 


CANONS.  37 

Section  1.  Whenever  the  Bishop  shall  have  reason 
to  believe,  on  information  being  given  by  a  major 
part  in  number  of  the  vestry  of  any  church,  of 
which  the  accused  is  a  minister,  or  by  any  three 
presbyters  of  this  Diocese  entitled  to  seats  in  the 
convention,  or  "'  from  public  rumor,"  as  contemplated 
by  section  2nd,  Canon  XXXVII,  of  the  General  Con- 
vention, that  any  clergyman  is  under  imputation  of 
having  been  guilty  of  any  offense  or  misconduct 
for  which  he  is  liable  to  be  tried,  and  that  the  inter- 
est of  the  church  requires  an  investigation,  it  shall 
be  his  duty  to  appoint  three  persons,  of  whom  two 
at  least  shall  be  presbyters,  to  examine  the  case,  a 
majority  of  whom  may  make  such  examination;  and 
if  there  be,  in  their  opinion,  sufficient  grounds  for 
a  presentment,  they  shall  present  such  clergyman 
to  the  Bishop;  who  shall  thereupon  cause  a  copy  of 
said  presentment,  together  with  a  citation  to  appear 
and  answer  thereto,  to  be  served  upon  the  accused 
with  all  convenient  speed. 

Sec.  2.  The  Bishop,  or  if  there  be  no  Bishop, 
the  Standing  Committee,  shall  appoint  the  place 
for  the  trial,  which  must  be  within  the  Diocese. 

Sec.  3.  The  Bishop  shall  preside  upon  the  trial  as 
judge,  and  not  less  than  three  nor  more  than  five 
presbyters  shall  be  his  assessors  to  try  the  facts  in 
issue  ;  which  presbyters  shall  be  selected  by  the 
accused  out  of  a  list  of  eight,  (to  be  furnished  by  the 
Bishop  from  among  those  entitled  to  seats  in  the  con- 
vention,) wdio  shall  be  unconnected  with  said  party 
by  relationship  or  marriage,  and  not  parties  in  the 
presentment ;  and  if  the  accused  shall  neglect  or  re- 
fuse to  make  his  selection,  the  Standing  Committee 


CANONS. 


shall  select  for  him  ;  and  if  there  be  no  Bishop,  or  he 
decline  sitting  on  the  trial,  the  Standing  Committee 
shall  designate  some  member  of  the  conrt  to  preside 
in  his  stead. 

Sec.  4.  A  written  notice  of  the  time  and  place 
appointed  for  the  trial  shall  be  served  on  the  accused, 
and  also  on  one  of  the  presenters,  at  least  thirty  days 
previous  thereto  ;  and  advocates  or  proctors  shall  be 
allowed  on  either  side,  at  the  pleasure  of  the  party, 
provided  they  are  clergymen  canonically  resident  in 
the  Diocese,  or  laymen,  who  have  been  communicants 
in  some  parish  of  the  same  for  at  least  two  years 
before  the  trial. 

Sec.  5.  All  testimony  adduced  upon  the  trial  shall 
be  in  writing,  taken,  on  due  notice  to  the  parties, 
either  by  a  commissary,  appointed  for  that  purpose 
by  the  Bishop,  or  in  the  manner  of  commissions  and 
depositions  in  civil  cases.  But  this  provision  shall 
not  prevent  the  appearance  of  the  witnesses,  and  the 
hearing  of  their  testimony,  on  the  trial,  whenever  it 
shall  be  preferred  by  either  party  ;  and  the  testimony 
so  received  shall  be  reduced  to  writing,  and  signed  by 
the  witnesses  respectively. 

Sec.  6.  If  a  clergyman  presented  shall  at  any 
time  before  the  commencement  of  the  trial,  confess 
the  facts  charged  in  the  presentment,  the  Bishop 
shall,  with  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  clerical 
members  of  the  Standing  Committee,  proceed  to  pass 
sentence ;  otherwise,  he  shall  be  considered  as  deny- 
ing them. 

Sec.  7.  The  court  being  duly  constituted  by  the 
presence  of  the  requisite  number  of  presbyters,  they 


CANONS.  39 

shall  receive  such  evidence  as  may  be  adduced,  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  this  Canon,  and, 
having  deliberately  considered  the  same,  shall  declare 
in  a  writing  signed  by  them,  or  a  majority  of  them, 
their  verdict  on  the  several  charges  and  specifica- 
tions contained  in  the  presentment;  distinctly  stating 
whether  the  accused  is  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  each 
respectively,  and  stating  also  the  sentence,  which,  in 
their  opinion,  should  be  pronounced.  A  copy  of  such 
verdict  shall,  without  delay,  be  communicated  to  the 
accused,  and  the  original  verdict,  together  with  the 
evidence,  shall  be  delivered  to  the  Bishop,  who  shall, 
before  the  adjournment  of  the  court,  if  present,  pro- 
nounce such  canonical  sentence  thereon  as  shall  ap- 
pear to  him  proper,  provided  the  same  exceed  not  in 
severity  the  sentence  awarded  by  the  assessors;  and 
such  sentence  shall  be  final.  Provided,  however,  that 
the  Bishop,  if  he  thinks  justice  requires,  and,  if  there 
be  no  Bishop,  the  ecclesiastical  authority,  may  grant 
a  new  trial  to  the  accused. 

Sec.  8.     All  citations  and  notices  in  any  ecclesiasti- 
cal proceedings,  whether  to  parties  or  witnesses,  may 
be  served,  either  personally,  or   by  leaving    copies 
thereof  at  their  residences  respectively ;  and  may  be 
served  by  a  summoner  or  summoners,  appointed  for 
that  purpose  by  the  Bishop,  and  of  such  service  their 
certificate  shall  be  evidence.     In  case  of  service  by 
any  other  person,  the  fact  shall  be  proved  by  the  affi- 
davit of  that  person.     The  time  between  the  day  of  /  /^^  7 
service  and  the  day  of  appearance  shall  not  be  less          r^^l^ 
than  twenty  days  over  and  above  the  ordinary  time         S  b  l 
required  to  travel  to  the  place  of  appearance. 


X3 


40  CANONS, 

Sec.  9.  The  expense  necessarily  incurred  on  any 
trial  under  this  Canon,  including  those  of  the  accused 
when  found  innocent,  shall  be  paid  out  of  any  unap- 
propriated moneys  in  the  treasury,  the  accounts  of 
the  same  havins;  first  been  audited  under  the  direc- 
tion  of  the  Convention. 

Sec.  10.  No  clergyman  shall  be  suspended,  or  re- 
ceive any  public  censure  from  the  Bishop  of  the 
Diocese,  without  having  been  adjudged  thereto,  in 
the  manner  provided  for  by  this  Canon. 


CANON  XXI. 

CONCERNING    ALTERATIONS   IN    THE    CANONS,    AND    ADDITIONS 
THERETO. 

No  proposed  alteration  of,  or  addition  to,  the 
Canons  shall  hereafter  be  considered  by  the  Conven- 
tion, unless  one  day's  previous  notice  be  given  thereof 
in  open  Convention,  nor  unless  by  unanimous  con- 
sent, until  such  alteration  or  addition  shall  have  been 
referred  to,  and  reported  upon,  by  a  committee  of  at 
least  two  presbyters  and  two  laymen ;  nor  shall  such 
alteration  or  addition  be  adopted  during  the  same 
Convention,  if  two-thirds  of  the  votes  of  both  orders 
shall  not  concur  therein ;  but  in  such  cases,  the  same 
(unless  negatived  by  a  majority  of  the  members  pre- 
sent,) shall  lie  over  for  consideration  until  the  next 
annual  meeting  of  the  Convention. 


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